Benjamin jambs



UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

BENJAMIN JAMES, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO ROSWELL E. JAMES.

AWL-HAF T.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 14,704, dated April 15, 1856.

To all lwhom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN JAMES, of Worcester, in the county of Vorcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Awl-Hafts; and I do hereby declare that the same is fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, of which- Figure l, exhibits a side view of one of my improved hafts or handles as it appears when'its jaws are closed together; Fig. 2, a top view of it under such circumstances; Fig. 3, a side view of it as it appears when its jaws are open. Fig. 4:, is a vertical and longitudinal section of it. Fig. 5, is a horizontal section of it. Fig. 6, is a view of the inner face of one of its jaws.

In these drawings, A, and, B, exhibit a pair of levers crossing one another and turning' on a pin C, and having jaws, a, b, analogous to those of a common pair of pincers. The rearmost arms of these levers, or what I term the handle parts, c, and d, are constructed with a chamber, D, formed within them so that when the arms are closed together one of them shall serve as a cover to the chamber, whether it be made wholly or partially in the other. One of the arms I provide with a sliding or 'locking bolt, E, arranged as seen in the drawings; and from the other arm, I cause to project a locking stud or catch, F, which I form and place in such manner on the arm that, when the two arms are closed together, the locking bolt will be forced through or into the catch so as to hold the arms in contact, and their jaws with a firm grip on an awl, H, when placed between them.

In order that the jaws may hold the awl in a proper position, I form in each of them, an angular groove, e, whose end nearest the center pin or ulcrum of the levers, terminates in a recess, f, made of greater width than the groove and for the purpose of receiving one half of a head, lz, formed on the inner end of the awl, such head and such recess serving to prevent the awl from being pulled from between the jaws when they are closed upon it. The rear part of the upper one of the handle arms, c, d, is made to extend below the common axis of the two arms and to lap on the lower arm and be provided with a hammer head or projection, I, as seen in the drawings wherein the overlapping portion of the upper arm is seen at s. By so forming the upper arm with the portion, s, to lap downward and partially over the rear end of the lower arm I am enabled, not only to arrange the locking bolt to good advantage or within such part, s, but I am enabled to apply to such part a circular hammer head I, arranged with its center in the aXis of the tool.

The chamber within the instrument is intended to hold awls, or other tools of different sizes, such as may be placed within and held by the jaws. By means of the hammer head, the tool may be used for making a hole for the insertion of a peg or nail as it is calculated that the whole of the haft shall be constructed of metal.

I do not claim making an awl haft, with a chamber within it, for the recept-ion and holding of awls or other tools; but

lVhat I do claim isl. My improved mode of constructing an awl haft viz., of two levers crossing one another, turning on a common fulcrum, and provided not only with jaws, like a pair of pincers, but with a chamber, D, in one or both of the handle arms of said levers, as described.

2. I also claim forming the rear end or part of one of the levers with an extension, s, and so as to lap over the end of the outer lever and receive entire hammer head, I, upon it, as hereinbefore stated.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my signature this seventh day of March BENJAMIN JAMES. Vitnesses:

HENRY CHAPIN, O. H. TILLo'rsoN. 

